Geokinetics Inc. Share News

US Stock Futures: HOT STOCKS TO WATCH

Among the companies whose shares are expected to actively trade in Monday's session are SAP AG (SAP, SAP.XE), Trius Therapeutics Inc. (TSRX) and Eldorado Gold Corp. (EGO). SAP on Friday began its roughly $3.4 billion acquisition of SuccessFactors Inc. (SFSF), outlining a tender offer that will last until Jan. 18. Shares climbed 2% to $55.70 premarket. Trius' treatment for bacterial skin and skin-structure infections met its primary and secondary goals in a Phase 3 trial when compared with a leading antibacterial drug. Shares climbed 8.4% to $7.40 in light premarket trading. Eldorado Gold said Monday it has agreed a cash and shares deal worth C$2.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) to buy European Goldfields Ltd. (EGU.T), creating a gold producer with a market value around C$11 billion. Eldorado's shares fell 4.2% to $14.35 premarket. Alexza Pharmaceuticals Inc. (ALXA) said it had retained adviser Lazard Ltd. to help it explore its strategic options as the drug company handed all of its employees 60-day layoff notices to conserve cash. Shares slumped 17% to 55 cents in recent premarket trading. The stock was down 47% this year through Friday's close. PDL BioPharma Inc. (PDLI), which obtains most of its revenue from development and licensing of antibodies, forecast downbeat revenue for its fourth quarter and fiscal year, citing reduced royalties from the sale of two drugs. Shares slipped 4.3% to $5.75 in light premarket trading. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded GMX Resources Inc. (GMXR) to selective default after the oil and gas company completed a debt-exchange offer that the credit-rater considers distressed. GMX's shares slipped 5.7% to $1.33 recently in light premarket trading. Watch List: Alliance Data Systems Corp.'s (ADS) board approved a stock buyback program of up to $400 million during 2012, as the company joined a growing list of firms looking to boost shareholder value. Astur Gold Corp. (AST.V, ATRGF) and Gold-Ore Resources Ltd. (GOZ.T) agreed to a C$150 million all-stock merger Friday, creating a gold producer with assets in Sweden and Spain. Interdealer broker BGC Partners Inc. (BGCP) said it expects its fourth-quarter earnings and revenue to come in around the low-end of its previously stated guidance. Edison International (EIX) said it would hold a press conference Friday evening at its Rosemead, Calif., headquarters to address reports of shootings at one of its offices. Standard & Poor's Ratings Services downgraded Geokinetics Inc. (GOK) two notches closer to default Friday and kept the door open for another cut, saying it expects weaker earnings and less liquidity in the fourth quarter. Toy maker Jakks Pacific Inc. (JAKK) cut its 2011 full-year guidance citing "a difficult retail sales environment for toys, especially during the important holiday season, which has also resulted in higher markdown allowances and higher royalty expenses relating to license guarantee shortfalls." Pepco Holdings Inc. (POM) asked the Maryland Public Service Commission to allow the utility to raise its electric delivery rates next year to pay for higher expenses, including cleanup costs after Hurricane Irene. PG&E Corp. (PCG) said Friday it completed strength testing of 160 miles of natural-gas pipelines, finishing this year's inspection program. Microsoft Corp.'s (MSFT) Bing search engine gained slight ground against competitors, including the still-leading Google Inc. (GOOG), in the race for the most popular U.S. search engine, according to sector researcher ComScore Inc. (SCOR). Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. (SCHN) lowered its guidance for its fiscal first-quarter results due to weaker than anticipated global market conditions for recycled metals. Janney slashes its stock-value estimate on Shutterfly Inc. (SFLY) by nearly a third as it trims fourth-quarter and 2012 forecasts on the online photo concern, noting there's been "continuing competitive pricing pressure deeper into the Holiday than expected." However, the investment bank remains a fan of Shutterfly, highlighting its low cost, quality and market-share leadership. It adds the company would benefit from "further industry consolidation," which Shutterfly could partake in. Whiting Petroleum Corp. (WLL) filed plans for a new trust to raise up to $385 million through an initial public offering. -Edited by Ian Thomson and Corrie Driebusch; write to ian.thomson@dowjones.com and corrie.driebusch@dowjones.com